WITH TEXT IN LATIN FROM THE "SENTENTIAE" OF PETER LOMBARD
- Germany(?) , late 12th or early 13th century
Germany(?), late 12th or early 13th century. 335 x 224 mm. (13 1/4 x 8 7/8"). Double column, 29 lines, in an elegant proto-gothic book hand.
Rubrics in red, several two-line initials in red. Recovered from a binding and so the vellum a bit soiled, creased, and wavy, recto with a lighter patch (where a title label was once situated), light stains and glue and paper residue on the verso, but overall the leaf remarkably clean, entirely legible, and surprisingly well preserved.
Once serving as a cover for a later book, this leaf comes from a nearly contemporaneous copy of Peter Lombard's "Sentences," considered the most important theological book of the 12th century. Written between 1155 and 1158 and arranged topically, Lombard's "Sententiae" summarize past learning about Christian doctrine by quoting authorities in an attempt to resolve textual disagreement by dialectical analysis. As a source collection that continued to spark discussion, Lombard's great work enjoyed sustained success as a theological textbook until the 17th century and inspired numerous commentaries, including those of Aquinas and Luther. This leaf comes from Book IV, "On the Doctrine of Signs," which is primarily concerned with the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Sacred Orders, and Matrimony. The script is an upright and very legible proto-gothic book hand with a few distinctive letter forms and abbreviations that may help determine a more definitive point of origin (these include a "g" with a downward cross on its tail, and a conjoined "qe" for "que"). It is unusual (and very lucky) that this leaf survives completely intact, as Medieval manuscripts used in later bindings were often cut down in size to make smaller covers or used as waste paper for pastedowns or other binding elements..
Rubrics in red, several two-line initials in red. Recovered from a binding and so the vellum a bit soiled, creased, and wavy, recto with a lighter patch (where a title label was once situated), light stains and glue and paper residue on the verso, but overall the leaf remarkably clean, entirely legible, and surprisingly well preserved.
Once serving as a cover for a later book, this leaf comes from a nearly contemporaneous copy of Peter Lombard's "Sentences," considered the most important theological book of the 12th century. Written between 1155 and 1158 and arranged topically, Lombard's "Sententiae" summarize past learning about Christian doctrine by quoting authorities in an attempt to resolve textual disagreement by dialectical analysis. As a source collection that continued to spark discussion, Lombard's great work enjoyed sustained success as a theological textbook until the 17th century and inspired numerous commentaries, including those of Aquinas and Luther. This leaf comes from Book IV, "On the Doctrine of Signs," which is primarily concerned with the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Sacred Orders, and Matrimony. The script is an upright and very legible proto-gothic book hand with a few distinctive letter forms and abbreviations that may help determine a more definitive point of origin (these include a "g" with a downward cross on its tail, and a conjoined "qe" for "que"). It is unusual (and very lucky) that this leaf survives completely intact, as Medieval manuscripts used in later bindings were often cut down in size to make smaller covers or used as waste paper for pastedowns or other binding elements..
Details
Title
WITH TEXT IN LATIN FROM THE "SENTENTIAE" OF PETER LOMBARD
Author
A MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF, RECOVERED FROM A BINDING
Condition
Unknown
Publisher
Germany(?)
Date
late 12th or early 13th century